Girls Summer Science Camp

NO BOYS ALLOWED!

Headwaters Girls Summer Science Camp combines a unique educational experience with a fun and supportive all female summer camp. This transformative event aims to help more girls become leaders in the sciences.

Scholarships: Applications due June 15th by 4pm. Apply here. We encourage students to register for camp, and we will refund you any scholarship money you earn. We will save some openings in camp for scholarship recipients, but we encourage you to enroll when you can.

Program Overview

2018 Campers studying meadow insect diversity

The camp is centered around participants working in small groups to complete an independent scientific research project. Campers will ask scientific questions then design and conduct experiments to test their questions. Female scientists will offer mentorship throughout this process. The camp will culminate with students giving a scientific presentation about their research to their peers. Students will interact with local female scientists and research that is being done around Truckee area. They will learn current research methods that can be incorporated into their own research.Each day, in addition to their research, students will have opportunities to explore, swim, and kayak on Webber Lake.

Meg Seifert, Headwaters’ executive director, will lead the camp. Meg has a PhD in Biology and is passionate about science education. The camp will be fully staffed with female scientists who will not only provide excellent program instruction, but also serve as role models of success in the sciences. They will help guide the projects and teach the students about their own work as well.

Daily Schedule

Day 1: Check in Sunday Evening: July 14

Assessing stream habitat with water quality measurements.

Campers will arrive at Webber Lake Campground after dinner. Check in is between 6pm and 7pm. Parents can stay until 7pm to help get their campers tents set up and help them settle in. At 7:30pm the girls will have a campfire with S’mores to get to know each other.

Day 2:

After breakfast campers will hike to Lacey Meadow where a local female scientist along with Headwaters instructors and scientists will lead them in an exploration of wetland ecology and the many organisms living there. We will learn about the research going on in the meadow and learn some of the techniques used to monitor the area. We will come back to camp for lunch. In the afternoon the campers will start their research question development and methods. There will be time for a swim or kayak before dinner at 6.

Evening Program: The girls will have dinner with the female scientists they worked with during the day. Each scientist will share more about her research and talk about how she became involved in the sciences. Campers will work in groups to review their hypotheses and create data collection goals. They will have time to talk about their ideas with the scientists.

Day 3: Data collection

Campers will begin data collection. They will collect preliminary data and figure out how feasible their project is. They will have time to improve or change their projects as needed. After all the groups feel good about their projects we will head to Webber Falls for the afternoon.

Evening Program: We will come back to camp for dinner. After dinner we will go on an evening walk through the meadow/forest and play games around the campfire.

Day 4: Data Collection

Researching soil pH and vegetation

In the morning groups work continue working on collecting data for their research projects. Instructors will help students navigate the hiccups that come with field data collection. In the afternoon campers will kayak on Webber Lake. Groups doing comparative studies can collect samples from the lake.

Evening Program: After dinner, we will have a local female scientist give a talk about her research. After the talk, the girls will have time for a Q&A session and continue work on their projects.

Day 5: Service work and Data Collection Continued

Morning: The groups will complete a service project at the campground or trails around Webber Lake. We want to give back to the natural space we are using. Lunch will be in the field. They will have time in the afternoon to collect more data as needed. They will also enjoy free time to hike, swim, or kayak.

Evening Program: Once projects are completed, we will end the evening with a campfire skits and s’mores!

Day 6: Final Presentations

If groups need more time, they can finish working on their scientific poster. Instructors will help students practice their presentations. Any groups that are done will have time to hike, swim, or kayak. During lunch groups will present their research projects. Each group will field questions following their presentation. Parents and interested partners are invited to the presentation session at noon.

Swimming at Webber Falls

Campers are welcome to bring their own kayaks and paddle boards. Life jackets are required at all times while on the lake. Please let Meg know what you will bring with you. Headwaters will have a couple of kayaks with us as well.